Netflix’s continuation of crushing sentences and broken hearts.
I lost my motivation to read books in my teenage years. For someone who used to frequent visiting the library, it certainly weighed heavy and I often questioned why I had stopped. I was minding my own business one day in the year 2021, when I had received a number of texts from my best friend, all typed out in full caps.
She expressed how a favorite book series of hers was done justice by Netflix, out of all streaming services. I recall raising my brow and asked her for more details – so began my introduction to Shadow and Bone.
Though she blabbered for quite a bit, it was graceful. I do not remember every compliment she had exclaimed, but I do remember her repeating the name ‘Kaz’. For whatever reason, any mention of books discouraged me from pursuing things at the time, I still do not know why.
She was trying to sell this show to me, in the hopes that we could finally discuss books, as she was a huge bookworm, but her attempts had failed and that was the final time she tried to get me into reading, or having to do anything with that medium.
I felt bad, of course. And after her departure, I grew desperate to find things to do that would bring me closer to her. I picked up most, if not all, of the books she had recommended to me prior, in the hopes that she would return and discuss the stories with me. This also led to me picking up the Netflix adaptation of Shadow and Bone.
Shadow and Bone was originally a book series, written by bestselling author, Leigh Bardugo. Netflix saw the television potential for this series and decided to take it upon themselves to adapt it. And boy, did they impress.
I believe that my liking for this genre of fantasy media stemmed from when I was a child, reading on the Chronicles of Narnia. For an English class in 5th grade, my peers and I were given an excerpt on ‘The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe’. We were given homework, of which I cannot exactly remember, regarding the story. I went home and searched the film on the internet, eventually securing it, and proceeded to watch it with urgency. I was nine and I was horrified, in the greatest sense of the term.
Of course, this had led to me watching other instalments of the franchise, one that is specifically important to the topic at hand, Prince Caspian – the second film. I would like to draw your attention to the actor playing as the title character rather than the story. To put it bluntly, I believe I had fancied Ben Barnes upon first watch, as did most girls my age back then.
Had I known that he plays a major role in Shadow and Bone earlier, I doubt I would have been so hesitant as I was initially. To sink their claws in deeper, Ben Barnes takes part in the television trope that may as well be my undoing – enemies to lovers/lovers to enemies. I have no explanation for this, I am simply a fool for it.
Speaking of infatuations, this brings me the aforementioned Kaz Brekker, played by Freddy Carter. Before anything else, a titbit about me is that I inherit a soft spot for horses. They are majestic creatures that have grown to be animals I am most fond of from the time of my childhood.
Quite the random thing to write about, only if one was not aware that Freddy plays a mysterious, grumpy teen on his horse show. And how fortunate it was, for me to watch Free Rein, before pointing ferociously at the sight of him in Shadow and Bone.
It was giggle inducing for me to see him go from an awkward grump that was Pin, to another sour-faced cold man that was Kaz Brekker. But as funny as it was, I was very awe-struck from then on, because his performance in Shadow and Bone was a marvel of another level entirely, and I do not believe any body else could have been as perfect as he was to play the part. I understand completely as to why my friend rambled about him, I do it now myself.
It was not just these two that were great; the entire cast was fitting to the strictest meaning of the word. Not only were they filled to the brim with talent, as I am a person of color, I was gleaming at how diverse the main characters were. To note one; the wraith, Inej Ghafa, was played by the gorgeous Nepali actress, Amita Suman.
The fact that they all had a British accent was just played into another plus point, because I have not watched a UK-based show since BBC’s Peaky Blinders – and I hold that memory to a high regard.
I have been raving on about the actors of Shadow and Bone, but the show has a lot more going for it than just its range of personalities. The narrative is most definitely worth a binge. I was on vacation around the time of picking up the series, it was also around four in the morning that I did. I was more than happy to lose sleep for this show and completed it one sitting.
The protagonists, Alina Starkov and Malyen Oretsev, are two orphans that grew up together, and later recruited as soldiers stationed near The Fold. The Fold is a seemingly pitch-black coverage of entire lands, with the high risk of death if proper measures are not taken due to what lies within.
With The Fold being the main plot device, it is everyone’s job to aid in destroying the hold it has across the major regions. I believe it to be proof of good story telling if the plot is seemingly simple and straight-forward, in company of the characters being complex enough to stir up uncertainty for the accomplishment of the task at hand – the situation that we are met with in Shadow and Bone.
Two seasons went by, filled with mortal peril and clashing ideologies. By the time The Fold had gone, I felt as if years were taken off my life due to my being very in touch with the characters’ journeys and emotions. Nevertheless, the work was absolute, and it was time to say goodbye, or so I thought.
When the conclusion had arrived, at best, I thought Netflix would either wrap up the good run it had, or possibly tease a spin-off show focusing on the revered Crows. And though the ending we had with the fan favorites made it clear that they still have unfinished business, something very unexpected took place on the other side of Ravka.
Alina Starkov, the Sun Summoner and hero of the story, ended the show that was Shadow and Bone, with a sinister look on her face as she sliced a heart-render in half… with the Black Heretic’s magical prowess.
Upon witnessing this act on my screen, I gasped very audibly, because, what? I did not know what to think. Question marks were being engraved into my brain. I immediately started searching for what could this possibly mean, and everyone had the same reaction, including fans of Bardugo’s book series – which just left me in more confusion.
Were book readers not supposed to see this coming? Well, apparently not, as this was Netflix’s creative decision to have the hero live long to be the villain in the future.
To be honest, despite Netflix straying from the book series, I thought this twist was fantastic. They took their liberties with other aspects of the books, like Mal’s character being less of a jerk towards Alina and more likeable in the show. I wanted to believe that they knew what they were doing with this massive change because it had worked out well for them a few times before.
Alas, a day later, I find out that Netflix decided to pull the plug on Shadow and Bone, with numerous other good ones they had in their arsenal. Words cannot describe my disappointment to this day. Just like that, a gem of a show was gone. Netflix had such potential in their hands with that plot twist of an ending, but now, what more is left to say?
As hopeless as it sounds, I do hope Netflix renews for a third season to at least end Shadow and Bone graciously, but considering their history, I doubt that shall occur. My melancholic way of ending this post is a mere reflection of what I had felt that day.
